Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-15

The annual report OF Northumberland Sher-
| idan to the Secretary OF War was made public
this afternoon. He states that at the date OF the
last consolidated returns the Army consisted OF
1900 Officers and "a 236 men, distributed as fol-
lows: General Officers 10; general staf, 576 off,
GERS, 1856 men; ten regiments OF cavalry, 439
onicer,, 6,S06 men; five regiments OF artillery,
2S6 officers, 2,4S2 men; twenty-five regiments OF
infantry, $50 Officers, 1O,95O men; Indian scouts,
PIG men; attachments, recruiting parties, &C.,
| g 1885 men. Troops have been continually Occu-
pied in patrolling the Oklahoma country, and have
been successful In keeping intruders out OF that
sSn Gsn SasSasau sa{ ySs teoS can
| cI Inc opinion that Congress may Well consider
the ACCESSIBILITY OF opening up portions at least OF
this country to settlement.
THE UTE AND CROW TROUBLES.
The report describes In detail the recent troubles
with the Ute Indians In Colorado and the Crows in
Montana In reference to the LATTER Gen. Sheri-
dan says: "The agent from the best Information
that have, while an honest, honorable, we'll
meaning man. Is not very well calculated TO deal
with wild Indians, being somewhat arbitrary and
dOmineerng, and in his endeavOr TO est bish dis
cipune attempted to enforce his power at once
without giving the Indians chance TO cool on
pected from people OF their character, resistance
was Immediately threatened" The policy of con-
road centers has for several years been advocated
and many MINOR positions, now retained only be-
cause they afford shelter for the troops not as
yet provided for elsewhere Will be abandoned as
soon as accommodations can be obtained at the
regtinental posts now either building or contem-
plated in the near future.
PRACTICE MARCHES AND CAMPS.
The gradual cessation OF Indian troubles has
permitted the prosecution, to a greater extent
than formerly, OF the practice marches and field
camps which further so great an extent the prac-
! teal and thorough instruction or the soldier.
formerly gained by active field duty, necessitaIed
by movements against hostile foe, can no longer
be obtained OPT and these peace maDeuyers become
cution, and the education OF officers and men In
the modern systems OF carrying on war, the par
tctpattOn or larger bodies OF troops than now
be ass mbled smaller posts is desirable and
this fact alone offers one OF the strongest arVu-
ments FOR concentration into large posts that can
be advanced. Fewer and larger garrisons also re-
suit In greater economy In their military admins
tration, and hope that the subject from both OF
these points OF view may be favorably considered
Instruction in the employment of the rife and
caroline has been most energeucally prosecuted
throughout the year, and with very satisfactory
results II Is the object OF the system OF 1nstruc
ton now in force In the army to SO educate the
enlisted men that their fire in battle can be de-
nyered with the maximum effect rather than TO
center Efforts upon the development OF especial
accuracy among particular individuals.
A REVISION OF TACTICS.
Gen. Sheridan says that 1t is his intention to as
slider the subject Of the revision Of tactics and to
prepare or recommend such revislons OF the
tactics as Will place them more completely in
harmony with the advanced methods OF con-
Quoting war. lie Is OF the opinion that
both The drill and discipline OF the men and
efficiency OF the Army for service would be much
enhanced by increasing by 5000 men the present
| enlisted strength OF the Army, and two majors
and two companies should be added to each regi-
ment OF infantry. But the measure which would,
in his opinion, most promote the efficiency Of the
service would be the passage OF law authorizing
the immediate retirement OF those officers about
eighty IN number, In whose cases such act on has
already been recommended by military boards or
who have for some time been absent on account OF
sickness from their commands with but little
prospect OF ultimate recovery.
The springfield rifle still remains the weapon OF
our service, and It Is undoubtedly very good one
In his opinion, however, the magazine gun must
armies shows that future to be very near at hand.
II is not possible for US to devise at early day
IDEAS now acCsptsd abroad, it Would be better 10
adopt the best Of their weapons rather than ad-
here longer 70 our present single-lOader, effective,
even, as It's nre can sometimes be made.
THE NATIONAL GUARD
He Is strongly in favor OF the General Govern
ment extending all possible aid to the National
Guard of the different states, as they constitute
body Of troops that in any great emergency would
should be armed with the best weapons, amply
provided with complete camp and garrison eQui-
page and instructed In the various drills and ex-
1
lowed In the Regular Army. ACCORDING TO my
observation ana experience most OF the State
troops now march well and handle the gun well,
but they ore deficient IN discipline and IN all the
duties that teach soldier to take care OF himself
while In camp or upon march. This defect can
now be overcome by establishing some system OF
encanpmenr under the control and direction and
at the entire expense OF the General Government;
| In the development OF such o measure the entire
Army, as wen as myself personally, will be glad to
render such assistance as lies In our power, and
recommend that the favorable consideration Of the
NOT HDHwAyhEN. BUT PoLLCExEN.-At an early
hour thb morning two wniJe men, giving the
names OF Jno. ]. Phillips and j. r HAIL were
stopped on street, between 18th and 18th
streets, by persons claiming to be police oficers
and who searched them It was reported a. case
Of attempted highway robbery. II was subse-
quently learned that Onaoer Hearn and announcer
man, also SAID TO be policeman, were the parties,
aud that they stopped the TWO men on the CON-
plant OF . woman that one Of them had drawn
pistol on her.
Miss May Kessler. who left home ON wednesday
laAt, has been found in Baltimore With relatives.
To-day. In the Criminal Court, In the case Of
Edward Brown, indicted FOR tho grand larceny OF
Ewelfy from the reatdence OF Joseph Tyssowsk,
after several witnesses had been heard the de-
fonoant consented 70 n verdict or potlC larceny.